The Dodgers announced a series of roster moves today. Outfielder James Outman has been recalled to the big league club and they have also selected the contract of right-hander Julian Fernández. In corresponding active roster moves, left-hander Justin Wrobleski has been optioned while infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernández has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation. To open a 40-man spot for Fernandez, infielder/outfielder CJ Alexander has been designated for assignment. The Fernández move was reported earlier today.
There isn’t a lot of information about the injury to Hernández. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, manager Dave Roberts says the issue has been around for about a month. It’s Hernández’s non-throwing elbow, which is presumably why he was able to play through it, but the club has decided to give him a breather. With the All-Star break coming up, he might not actually miss many games if it’s a minor issue. Roberts does believe Hernández could be back in there shortly after the break, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
Outman gives the club some extra outfield coverage but the position player mix is a bit thin at the moment, particularly on the infield. Max Muncy is on the injured list and will miss several weeks. Tommy Edman is not in the lineup tonight, seemingly due to a right pinky toe issue, per David Vassegh of SportsNet LA. Outfielder Teoscar Hernández was getting scans on his left foot last night after fouling a ball off himself last night, per Vassegh, and isn’t in the lineup tonight.
In tonight’s lineup, the Dodgers have Freddie Freeman at first, Hyeseong Kim at second, Mookie Betts at shortstop and Miguel Rojas at third. The bench consists of backup catcher Dalton Rushing, outfielder Esteury Ruiz, and then the banged-up Teoscar and Edman. If Edman is unable to play tonight, those four infielders are apparently locked in. If another injury were to pop up, the club would have to get creative and try an outfielder on the dirt. Roberts hopes Edman and Hernández will be available off the bench tonight, per Harris, though that may be hollow optimism.
Alexander was just claimed off waivers a few days ago, seemingly to give the club some extra infield depth, but he hasn’t been recalled today. Instead, he’s been bumped off the 40-man roster and into DFA limbo, likely to return to the waiver wire in the coming days.
He has a small amount of big league experience with the Royals and Athletics, having produced a .160/.160/.160 line in 25 plate appearances. He had a really good performance in the minors last year but hasn’t carried it over into 2025. He slashed .302/.361/.559 for a 130 wRC+ on the farm in 2024, but this year’s minor league line is .236/.335/.429 for a wRC+ of 83.
He is capable of playing any of the four corner spots and can still be optioned to the minors. Perhaps there will be interest from clubs who think he’s capable of getting back to last year’s performance. If he were to pass through waivers unclaimed, the Dodgers could retain him as non-roster depth.
Photo courtesy of Neville E. Guard, Imagn Images
Let’s call up Freeland, see what the kid can do.
They’ve been playing him at 3B this week in AAA.
Prefer to play Kim full-time, but Freeland is getting some minor league reps at 3B
Now CJ can reunite with his RAG TIME BAND !!
Full disclosure… never been a fan of the Dodgers & a lifelong Giants fan.
So, maybe a Dodger pundit can help me understand why Conforto continues to pollute your lineup…is it his glove or the micro investment?
Would you prefer one of the talented youngsters getting reps or sticking with him?
The Dodgers fans that I’ve talked to are just as baffled as everyone else as to why Conforto is still on the roster, let alone starting. I feel like if Outman could be even remotely productive as he was as a rookie they would cut Conforto. They still may, remember they stuck with Heyward til August last season and Conforto is about as bad, if not worse than he was
I think you answered your own question with, “if Outman…”.
Do you believe If Outman, given the opportunity & patience given Pages could be another Pages –
Outman certainly has, inconsistently, demonstrated superior athletic skills.
No idea, but I do think the Dodgers have been quite patient with him.
So Noah Davis isnt DFA yet?
🤷♂️
Outman should just start his coaching career because his days as a player are numbered.
I’m sure we are going to read about his leadership which would be chaff & distraction.
Seems to me Heyward was a decent contributor as a fill in & bench asset AND a true & actual positive influence & mentor in the clubhouse during the regular season.
They broomed him, Heyward, in late August once Mookie was good to go.
I concur with your assessment regarding other more effective OF options on the 40 man.
While I don’t get the Conforto thing, I do tend to trust the front office to know things I don’t and make good decisions.
I think they are making every effort to get him right. They have been revamping his swing and it’s starting to pay off a little. Just a little. If he turns the corner then everything is good.
If he doesn’t turn the corner he’ll likely be replaced.